What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misspeaking
Example
I misspoke earlier when I said 'irregardless' instead of 'regardless'. [misspoke: past tense]
Example
She quickly corrected herself after misspeaking the name of the company. [misspeaking: gerund or present participle]
slur
Example
His speech was slurred due to the effects of alcohol. [slurred: adjective]
Example
The comedian's joke was seen as a racial slur by many members of the audience. [slur: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Misspeaking is more commonly used than slur in everyday language. Misspeaking is a common occurrence in speech, while slur is less common and typically associated with offensive language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misspeaking and slur?
Both misspeaking and slur are informal words, but slur is considered highly offensive and should be avoided in formal settings.